Showing papers by "State University of Campinas published in 2002"
TL;DR: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, once-weekly peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin was tolerated as well as interferonAlfa- 2b plus Ribavirin and produced significant improvements in the rate of sustained virologic response, as compared with interfer on alfa -2b plus ribvirin or pegin terferonalfa-3a alone.
Abstract: Background Treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a alone produces significantly higher sustained virologic responses than treatment with interferon alfa-2a alone in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We compared the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin, interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, and peginterferon alfa-2a alone in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Methods A total of 1121 patients were randomly assigned to treatment and received at least one dose of study medication, consisting of 180 μg of peginterferon alfa-2a once weekly plus daily ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg, depending on body weight), weekly peginterferon alfa-2a plus daily placebo, or 3 million units of interferon alfa-2b thrice weekly plus daily ribavirin for 48 weeks. Results A significantly higher proportion of patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin had a sustained virologic response (defined as the absence of detectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after cessation of therapy) th...
6,523 citations
TL;DR: This paper proposes a computational implementation of the clonal selection principle that explicitly takes into account the affinity maturation of the immune response and derives two versions of the algorithm, derived primarily to perform machine learning and pattern recognition tasks.
Abstract: The clonal selection principle is used to explain the basic features of an adaptive immune response to an antigenic stimulus. It establishes the idea that only those cells that recognize the antigens (Ag's) are selected to proliferate. The selected cells are subject to an affinity maturation process, which improves their affinity to the selective Ag's. This paper proposes a computational implementation of the clonal selection principle that explicitly takes into account the affinity maturation of the immune response. The general algorithm, named CLONALG, is derived primarily to perform machine learning and pattern recognition tasks, and then it is adapted to solve optimization problems, emphasizing multimodal and combinatorial optimization. Two versions of the algorithm are derived, their computational cost per iteration is presented, and a sensitivity analysis in relation to the user-defined parameters is given. CLONALG is also contrasted with evolutionary algorithms. Several benchmark problems are considered to evaluate the performance of CLONALG and it is also compared to a niching method for multimodal function optimization.
2,235 citations
TL;DR: The aim of the present work was to provide researchers with some helpful considerations about the determination of the rat estrous cycle phases in a fast and practical way.
Abstract: The short length of the estrous cycle of rats makes them ideal for investigation of changes occurring during the reproductive cycle. The estrous cycle lasts four days and is characterized as: proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus, which may be determined according to the cell types observed in the vaginal smear. Since the collection of vaginal secretion and the use of stained material generally takes some time, the aim of the present work was to provide researchers with some helpful considerations about the determination of the rat estrous cycle phases in a fast and practical way. Vaginal secretion of thirty female rats was collected every morning during a month and unstained native material was observed using the microscope without the aid of the condenser lens. Using the 10 x objective lens, it was easier to analyze the proportion among the three cellular types, which are present in the vaginal smear. Using the 40 x objective lens, it is easier to recognize each one of these cellular types. The collection of vaginal lavage from the animals, the observation of the material, in the microscope, and the determination of the estrous cycle phase of all the thirty female rats took 15-20 minutes.
1,322 citations
23 May 2002
TL;DR: The genus Xanthomonas is a diverse and economically important group of bacterial phytopathogens, belonging to the γ-subdivision of the Proteobacteria, and several groups of strain-specific genes are identified and proposed mechanisms that may explain the differing host specificities and pathogenic processes are proposed.
Abstract: The genus Xanthomonas is a diverse and economically important group of bacterial phytopathogens, belonging to the gamma-subdivision of the Proteobacteria. Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri (Xac) causes citrus canker, which affects most commercial citrus cultivars, resulting in significant losses worldwide. Symptoms include canker lesions, leading to abscission of fruit and leaves and general tree decline. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) causes black rot, which affects crucifers such as Brassica and Arabidopsis. Symptoms include marginal leaf chlorosis and darkening of vascular tissue, accompanied by extensive wilting and necrosis. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is grown commercially to produce the exopolysaccharide xanthan gum, which is used as a viscosifying and stabilizing agent in many industries. Here we report and compare the complete genome sequences of Xac and Xcc. Their distinct disease phenotypes and host ranges belie a high degree of similarity at the genomic level. More than 80% of genes are shared, and gene order is conserved along most of their respective chromosomes. We identified several groups of strain-specific genes, and on the basis of these groups we propose mechanisms that may explain the differing host specificities and pathogenic processes.
1,141 citations
TL;DR: All the research efforts that have been spent to immobilize laccase and tyrosinase for various applications, including synthetic and analytical purposes, bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and must and wine stabilization are summarized.
762 citations
TL;DR: A review about the potential application of biosensor technology in drink and food industries, its current situation and potential is presented.
521 citations
TL;DR: The origins of propolis group 3, group 6, and group 12 are resins of the poplar tree, Hyptis divaricata, and Baccharis dracunculifolia, respectively.
Abstract: Brazilian propolis has been classified into 12 groups based on physicochemical characteristics: five in the southern Brazil group (group 3), one in the southeastern Brazil group (group 12), and six in the northeastern Brazil group (group 6). The plant origins of these groups were investigated using reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (RPHPTLC), reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RPHPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It was concluded that the origins of propolis group 3, group 6, and group 12 are resins of the poplar tree, Hyptis divaricata, and Baccharis dracunculifolia, respectively.
506 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the potential application of Laccase in the food industry and present a review of the potential applications of this enzyme in bioremediation, beverage processing, ascorbic acid determination, sugar beet pectin gelation, baking, and biosensor.
Abstract: Laccase is a widely studied enzyme because of its potential use in several areas such as textile, paper and pulp industries. This review presents the potential application of this enzyme in the food industry. Laccase can be used in bioremediation, beverage (wine, fruit juice and beer) processing, ascorbic acid determination, sugar beet pectin gelation, baking, and as biosensor and to improve food sensory parameters. Laccase could increase productivity, efficiency and quality of food products without a costly investment and has the advantage of being a mild technology.
449 citations
07 Aug 2002
TL;DR: The data of four networks that can be used in carrying out comparative studies with methods for transmission network expansion planning are given and the main mathematical formulations used in transmission expansion studies are summarised and compared.
Abstract: The data of four networks that can be used in carrying out comparative studies with methods for transmission network expansion planning are given. These networks are of various types and different levels of complexity. The main mathematical formulations used in transmission expansion studies-transportation models, hybrid models, DC power flow models, and disjunctive models are also summarised and compared. The main algorithm families are reviewed-both analytical, combinatorial and heuristic approaches. Optimal solutions are not yet known for some of the four networks when more accurate models (e.g. the DC model) are used to represent the power flow equations-the state of the art with regard to this is also summarised. This should serve as a challenge to authors searching for new, more efficient methods.
444 citations
TL;DR: The results of this study suggest that most of the effects of temperature, facial velocity-turbulence, and biofouling on the uptake rates of analytes with a wide range of hydrophobicities can be deduced from PRCs with a much narrower range of hydraulics.
Abstract: Permeability/performance reference compounds (PRCs) are analytically noninterfering organic compounds with moderate to high fugacity from semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) that are added to the lipid prior to membrane enclosure. Assuming that isotropic exchange kinetics (IEK) apply and that SPMD−water partition coefficients are known, measurement of PRC dissipation rate constants during SPMD field exposures and laboratory calibration studies permits the calculation of an exposure adjustment factor (EAF). In theory, PRC-derived EAF ratios reflect changes in SPMD sampling rates (relative to laboratory data) due to differences in exposure temperature, membrane biofouling, and flow velocity−turbulence at the membrane surface. Thus, the PRC approach should allow for more accurate estimates of target solute/vapor concentrations in an exposure medium. Under some exposure conditions, the impact of environmental variables on SPMD sampling rates may approach an order of magnitude. The results of this study sug...
416 citations
TL;DR: The technique described in this paper can be applied to polytopic uncertain systems and is based on the use of several Lyapunov functions each one corresponding to a different vertex of the uncertainty's polytope.
TL;DR: Initial results from a study of the interaction of soft X-ray radiation, generated by a free-electron laser, with Xe atoms and clusters are presented, finding that, whereasXe atoms become only singly ionized by the absorption of single photons, absorption in clusters is strongly enhanced.
Abstract: Intense radiation from lasers has opened up many new areas of research in physics and chemistry, and has revolutionized optical technology. So far, most work in the field of nonlinear processes has been restricted to infrared, visible and ultraviolet light, although progress in the development of X-ray lasers has been made recently. With the advent of a free-electron laser in the soft-X-ray regime below 100 nm wavelength, a new light source is now available for experiments with intense, short-wavelength radiation that could be used to obtain deeper insights into the structure of matter. Other free-electron sources with even shorter wavelengths are planned for the future. Here we present initial results from a study of the interaction of soft X-ray radiation, generated by a free-electron laser, with Xe atoms and clusters. We find that, whereas Xe atoms become only singly ionized by the absorption of single photons, absorption in clusters is strongly enhanced. On average, each atom in large clusters absorbs up to 400 eV, corresponding to 30 photons. We suggest that the clusters are heated up and electrons are emitted after acquiring sufficient energy. The clusters finally disintegrate completely by Coulomb explosion.
TL;DR: In this paper, the main recalcitrant compounds present in textile effluent are represented by the synthetic dyes, used during the fibber dying process among others, the azo dyes are considered the most harmful due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic character.
Abstract: Textile effluents, when not correctly treated, cause a high impact to the environment The main recalcitrant compounds present in textile effluent are represented by the synthetic dyes, used during the fibber dying process Among others, the azo dyes are considered the most harmful due to its mutagenic and carcinogenic character In the present work we reported a revision study on the new tendencies for remediation of textile effluents, mainly to degrade the recalcitrant compounds For this purpose, chemical, physical, photochemical, biological and combined processes were investigated
TL;DR: In this article, the magnetization of various well characterized samples of highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG), Kish graphite, and natural graphite was investigated to investigate the recently reported ferromagneticlike signal and its possible relation to magnetically impurities.
Abstract: We have studied the magnetization of various well characterized samples of highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG), Kish graphite, and natural graphite to investigate the recently reported ferromagneticlike signal and its possible relation to ferromagnetic impurities. The magnetization results obtained for HOPG samples for applied fields parallel to the graphene layers---to minimize the diamagnetic background---show no correlation with the magnetic impurity concentration. Our overall results suggest an intrinsic origin for the ferromagnetism found in graphite. We discuss possible origins of the ferromagnetic signal.
01 Jan 2002
TL;DR: This chapter shows that some of the basic aspects of the natural immune system discussed in the previous chapter can be used to propose a novel artificial immune network model with the main goals of clustering and filtering crude data sets described by high-dimensional samples.
Abstract: This chapter shows that some of the basic aspects of the natural immune system discussed in the previous chapter can be used to propose a novel artificial immune network model with the main goals of clustering and filtering crude data sets described by high-dimensional samples. Our aim is not to reproduce with confidence any immune phenomenon, but demonstrate that immune concepts can be used as inspiration to develop novel computational tools for data analysis. As important results of our model, the network evolved will be capable of reducing redundancy and describing data structure, including their spatial distribution and cluster interrelations. Clustering is useful in several exploratory pattern analyses, grouping, decision-making and machine-learning tasks, including data mining, knowledge discovery, document retrieval, image segmentation and automatic pattern classification. The data clustering approach was implemented in association with hierarchical clustering and graphtheoretical techniques, and the network performance is illustrated using several benchmark problems. The computational complexity of the algorithm and a detailed sensitivity analysis of the user-defined parameters are presented. A trade-off among the proposed model for data analysis, connectionist models (artificial neural networks) and evolutionary algorithms is also discussed.
TL;DR: Apigenin is a novel and potent inhibitor of GTF activity, and tt-farnesol was found to be an effective antibacterial agent.
Abstract: Propolis, a resinous bee product, has been shown to inhibit the growth of oral microorganisms and the activity of bacterium-derived glucosyltransferases (GTFs). Several compounds, mainly polyphenolics, have been identified in this natural product. The present study evaluated the effects of distinct chemical groups found in propolis on the activity of GTF enzymes in solution and on the surface of saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (sHA) beads. Thirty compounds, including flavonoids, cinnamic acid derivatives, and terpenoids, were tested for the ability to inhibit GTFs B, C, and D from Streptococcus mutans and GTF from S. sanguinis (GTF Ss). Flavones and flavonols were potent inhibitors of GTF activity in solution; lesser effects were noted on insolubilized enzymes. Apigenin, a 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone, was the most effective inhibitor of GTFs, both in solution (90.5 to 95% inhibition at a concentration of 135 microg/ml) and on the surface of sHA beads (30 to 60% at 135 microg/ml). Antibacterial activity was determined by using MICs, minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs), and time-kill studies. Flavanones and some dihydroflavonols, as well as the sesquiterpene tt-farnesol, inhibited the growth of S. mutans and S. sobrinus; tt-farnesol was the most effective antibacterial compound (MICs of 14 to 28 microg/ml and MBCs of 56 to 112 microg/ml). tt-Farnesol (56 to 112 microg/ml) produced a 3-log-fold reduction in the bacterial population after 4 h of incubation. Cinnamic acid derivatives had negligible biological activities. Several of the compounds identified in propolis inhibit GTF activities and bacterial growth. Apigenin is a novel and potent inhibitor of GTF activity, and tt-farnesol was found to be an effective antibacterial agent.
04 Nov 2002
TL;DR: Experimental results show that the BIC approach is consistently more compact, more efficient and more effective than state-of-the-art CBIR approaches based on sophisticated image analysis algorithms and complex distance functions.
Abstract: This paper presents \bic (Border/Interior pixel Classification), a compact and efficient CBIR approach suitable for broad image domains It has three main components: (1) a simple and powerful image analysis algorithm that classifies image pixels as either border or interior, (2) a new logarithmic distance (dLog) for comparing histograms, and (3) a compact representation for the visual features extracted from images Experimental results show that the BIC approach is consistently more compact, more efficient and more effective than state-of-the-art CBIR approaches based on sophisticated image analysis algorithms and complex distance functions It was also observed that the dLog distance function has two main advantages over vectorial distances (eg, L1): (1) it is able to increase substantially the effectiveness of (several) histogram-based CBIR approaches and, at the same time, (2) it reduces by 50% the space requirement to represent a histogram
TL;DR: In this paper, a dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells were assembled using rigid or flexible transparent electrodes (a conductive film deposited on glass or on poly(ethylene terephthalate) as substrates and a polymer electrolyte based on I3-/I- and poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide)).
Abstract: Dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells were assembled using rigid or flexible transparent electrodes (a conductive film deposited on glass or on poly(ethylene terephthalate) as substrates and a polymer electrolyte based on I3-/I- and poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide)). The cells were characterized by current−potential curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy under different light intensities. Under 100 mW cm-2 illumination, the rigid cell exhibited an open circuit potential VOC = 0.82 V, a short-circuit photocurrent ISC = 2.2 mA cm-2, and an efficiency η = 1%; for the flexible cell, VOC = 0.72 V, ISC = 0.40 mA cm-2, and η = 0.1%. Under illumination, impedance spectra of the cells exhibited three semicircles. In the dark, both systems presented very high impedance. The differences in the efficiency and the impedance spectra of both cells were compared and discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the use of medicinal plants according to sex and age to reveal general patterns of Caicara knowledge and use of plant resources and showed the importance of introduced as opposed to native plants and of key individuals for the conservation of the Caicaras-Atlantic forest.
Abstract: This study focuses on knowledge of medicinal plants among the Caicaras (rural inhabitants of the Atlantic Forest coast, Brazil). In particular, we examine the use of medicinal plants according to sex and age to reveal general patterns of Caicara knowledge and use of plant resources. Data collected through 449 interviews at 12 Caicara communities (Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo coastal sites) include citations of 249 plants and identification of 227 species. We show the importance of introduced as opposed to native plants and of key individuals for the conservation of the Caicaras-Atlantic Forest.
TL;DR: The availability of new resources, such as a bacterial artificial chromosome library and a huge collection of expressed sequence tags, has opened the gateway to promising functional analyses on a genomic scale.
TL;DR: In this paper, the desorption isotherms of mint leaves were determined at three different temperatures and two different air velocities, and the drying process was interpreted through the diffusional model in order to obtain effective diffusivity values, which proved to range from 4765×10−13 to 2945×10 −12 m 2 / s.
TL;DR: The testing of different solvents showed that addition of buffers such as ammonium acetate, ammonium hydroxide, or acetic acid may suppress ionization in APPI, and the reactions are discussed in detail in light of thermodynamic data.
Abstract: The ionization mechanism in dopant-assisted atmospheric pressure photoionization and the effect of solvent on the ionization efficiency was studied using 7 naphthalenes and 13 different solvent systems. The ionization efficiency was 1−2 orders of magnitude higher with dopant than without, indicating that the photoionization of the dopant initiates the ionization process. In positive ion mode, the analytes were ionized either by charge exchange or by proton transfer. Charge exchange was favored for low proton affinity solvents (water, hexane, chloroform), whereas the addition of methanol or acetonitrile to the solvent initiated proton transfer. In negative ion mode, the compounds with high electron affinity were ionized by electron capture or by charge exchange and the compounds with high gas-phase acidity were ionized by proton transfer. In addition, some oxidation reactions were observed. All the reactions leading to ionization of analytes in negative ion mode are initiated by thermal electrons formed in...
TL;DR: Indices derived from tricuspid annular motion appear to be important tools for assessing right ventricular systolic function.
Abstract: Objective: To assess right ventricular systolic function using indices derived from tricuspid annular motion, and to compare the results with right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) calculated from radionuclide angiography.
Design: Pulsed Doppler echocardiography indices were obtained from 10 patients with a normal RVEF (group 1) and from 20 patients whose RVEF was less than 45% (group 2).
Results: The patients in the two groups were similar in age, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate. There was a close correlation between the tricuspid annular motion derived indices (D wave integral (DWI), peak velocity of D wave (PVDW), and tricuspid plane systolic excursion (TPSE)) and RVEF ( r = 0.72, 0.82, and 0.79, respectively). DWI was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. PVDW discriminated adequately between individuals with abnormal and normal right ventricular ejection fraction. The sensitivity and specificity of tricuspid annular motion derived indices were very good.
Conclusions: Indices derived from tricuspid annular motion appear to be important tools for assessing right ventricular systolic function.
TL;DR: The giant magneto-impedance effect (GMI) as mentioned in this paper is a phenomenon that changes the complex impedance of soft magnetic materials upon the application of an external magnetic field, which is strongly dependent on the frequency of the applied current and the magnetic anisotropies present in the material, among other factors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated soil-vegetation relationships in the Pe-de-Gigante Reserve (Sao Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil) and showed a clear distinction between semideciduous forest and the cerrado physiognomies, based in soil parameters.
Abstract: Several studies pointed out soil properties as the prime determinant of cerrado (the Brazilian savanna) physiognomies, and a gradient from “campo cerrado” (a shrub savanna) to “cerradao” (a tall woodland) has been correlated with a soil fertility gradient. Based on this hypothesis, we investigated soil-vegetation relationships in the Pe-de-Gigante Reserve (Sao Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil). We randomly distributed 10 quadrats (10 × 10 m) on each of the following physiognomies: “campo cerrado”, “cerrado sensu stricto”, “cerradao”, and seasonal semideciduous forest, previously defined by the analysis of satellite images (LANDSAT-5). We sampled the woody individuals with stem diamete r>3c m atsoil level, identifying their species. In each quadrat, we collected soil samples at the depths of 0–5, 5–25, 40–60, and 80–100 cm, and determined pH, K, Ca, Mg, P, Al, H + Al, base saturation, aluminium saturation, cation exchange capacity, and percentage of sand, clay and loam. Obtained data were submitted to a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and to a detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Our results showed a clear distinction between semideciduous forest and the cerrado physiognomies, based in soil parameters. The former was related to higher concentrations of cations and clay in the soil, while the latter was related to higher concentrations of exchangeable aluminium in the soil surface. The three cerrado physiognomies – “campo cerrado”, “cerrado sensu stricto”, and “cerradao” – could not be distinguished considering plant density and the analysed soil features.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared the performance of uncoated and diamond-coated carbide tools, using minimal lubrication and abundant soluble oil as a refrigerant/lubricant in the drilling of aluminum-silicon alloys.
TL;DR: The effects of heavy metal Cadmium (Cd) on the growth and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.4), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC1.15.1), and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 2.6.2) have been investigated in Crotalaria juncea seedlings.
Abstract: The effects of the heavy metal Cadmium (Cd) on the growth and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT, EC 1.11.1.6), superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) and glutathione reductase (GR, EC 1.6.4.2) have been investigated in Crotalaria juncea seedlings. Concentrations above 0.2 mM CdCl2 were shown to inhibit strongly the growth of roots and shoots. Cd was shown to accumulate to very high concentrations in the roots, whilst in the leaves, the maximum concentration obtained following treatment with 2 mM CdCl2, was only 6% of that determined in the roots. Although CAT activity did not exhibit any major variation in the roots following CdCl2 treatment, 2 mM CdCl2 induced a 6-fold increase in activity in the leaves when compared to the untreated control. Non-denaturing PAGE gels stained for SOD activity revealed four isoenzymes, two Mn-SOD and two Cu/Zn-SOD. The results observed for SOD were different of those observed for CAT activity, since in both, leaves and roots, no significant changes in the total activity or of the four isoenzymes were observed following the treatment with CdCl2. GR activity exhibited a similar pattern of that of CAT activity. The concentration of 2 mM CdCl2 induced a small increase in activity in the roots after 48 h of exposure, whereas in leaves a 7-fold increase in GR activity was detected after 48 hr exposure to 2 mM CdCl2. The results suggest that in C. juncea the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by Cd, are metabolised by CAT in the peroxisomes. In the case of GR activity, the increase observed in the leaves suggest that GR is also playing a role in the detoxification of Cd-induced ROS possibly via the glutathione-ascorbate cycle.
TL;DR: Microcapsules were effective in protecting the microorganisms, while the populations of both free and microencapsulated microorganisms were eliminated after only 1 h at the acidic conditions, and B. lactis was more resistant to the drying process than L. acidophilus under all conditions tested.
Abstract: Microcapsules were prepared using the probiotic microorganisms Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-05) and Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12) and the spray drying technique and cellulose acetate phthalate as...
TL;DR: The aim of this study was to determine the species of lactobacilli that colonize the vagina and compare them with those found in food and the environment.
Abstract: Aims: Lactobacilli are widely distributed in food and the environment, and some colonize the human body as commensal bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the species of lactobacilli that colonize the vagina and compare them with those found in food and the environment.
Methods and Results: Thirty-five Lactobacillus strains from women from seven countries were isolated, and sequences from 16S rRNA genes were determined and compared with existing data in GenBank. A phylogenetic tree was achieved using the Neighbour-Joining method based on the analysis of 1465 nucleotides. The results showed that most vaginal isolates were L. crispatus, L. jensenii and L. gasseri. Some were L. vaginalis, L. fermentum, L. mucosae, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus. Two isolates from a native American woman displayed distinct branches, indicating novel phylotypes. Few vaginal isolates matched food or environmental Lactobacillus species.
Conclusions: Most women worldwide were colonized by three common Lactobacillus species: L. crispatus, L. jensenii and L. gasseri.
Significance and Impact of Study: Knowledge of vaginal Lactobacillus species richness and distribution in women worldwide may lead to the design of better probiotic products as bacterial replacement therapy.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of temperature, pressure and the addition of co-solvent (ethanol (EtOH) and isopropyl alcohol (IsoC3), both at 1.17% (mass)) on the kinetics of extraction of ginger oleoresin were studied.
Abstract: The effects of temperature, pressure and the addition of co-solvent (ethanol (EtOH) and isopropyl alcohol (IsoC3), both at 1.17% (mass)) on the kinetics of extraction of ginger oleoresin were studied. The design used was a 2×2×3 factorial (pressure 200 and 250 bar; temperature: 25 and 35 °C; solvent: CO2, CO2+EtOH, CO2+IsoC3). The experimental setup used was a fixed bed extractor with diameter of 2.76×10−2 m and length of 0.387 m. The assays were carried out at a mean solvent flow rate of 5.86×10−5 kg/s and with a bed apparent density of 350 kg/m3. The identification of the substances present in the oleoresin was performed by GC-MS; GC-FID was used to determine the ginger extract compositions. The antioxidant activity of the extract fractions was determined using the coupled oxidation of linolenic acid and β-carotene. The results show that the temperature and the interaction of the pressure and the solvent significantly affected the total yield. For the mass transfer rate, the effect of the interaction of the pressure and the solvent was significant; the mass transfer rate increased with the pressure in the absence of the co-solvent and decreased when ethanol and isopropyl alcohol were used. The major substances present in the ginger extracts were α-zingiberene, gingerols and shogaols; the amounts of these compounds were significantly affected by temperature, pressure and solvent. Nonetheless, the antioxidant activity of the ginger extracts remained constant at ≈80% and decreased to ≈60% in the absence of gingerols and shogaols. The Sovova's model quantitatively described the overall extraction curves.